Joint



April 28, 1936. H g, RADER ET AL 2,038,870

JOINT Filed Oct. 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 28, 1936.

H. K. RADER ET AL JQINT Filed 001;. 21, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES JOINT Hamid x. Bader and Francis Jordan Wilson, Port Huron, Mich, assignors to Mueller Brass 00., Port Huron, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application October 21, 1935, Serial No. 45,872

3 Claims. (CL 285117) I Thisinvention relates to joints and fittings, and with regard to certain more specific features, to joints and fittings for connecting together lengths of pipe and the like.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a pipe or like fitting which is adapted to produce an improved locked joint between the pipe and fitting; the provision of a fitting of the class described which, in addi- .l0 tion to providing a locked joint, is adapted for the efiectuation of a securely sealed joint; the provision of a fitting of the class described which may be assembled into a joint with minimum effort and maximum speed and facility; and the provision of a fitting of the class described which is relatively simple and economical to manufacture. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will beindicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a T-fitting embodying the present invention, showing a pipe inserted and a joint made therewith;

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the fitting of Fig. 1 taken substantially along line 8-8, but prior to certain jointing operations;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the joint of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of a locking member;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section of the looking member, taken substantially along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the initial positioning of the locking member;

Fig. 7 is a. view similar to Figs. 3 and 6, illustrating a further stage in making the joint;

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken substantially along line H of Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of the invention; I

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 4,

showing an alternative form of the locking member;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9, illustrating another embodiment of the invention; and,

Fig. 12isavlewsimilartoFigs.9and 11,i1lustrating still another embodiment of the invention. 1

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. I v 5 Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, numeral I indicates a pipe fitting, which, for purpose of illustration, has been shown as a T. The T has been chosen for exemplary purposes only, and it is to be understood that the invention apl0 plies with equal facility to all classes of pipe fittings, as ells, couplings, crosses, nipples, adapters, caps, valve ends, and the like, the sole criterion being that the fitting must have a socket portion 2 which is adapted to telescopingly re- 15 ceive the length of pipe or the like which it is desired to connect thereto. The T-fitting illustrated, in accordance with its shape, has three such socket portions 2.

Basically, the fitting l is of the general type 0 shown in Gresley et a1. Patent Number 1,776,502, dated September 23, 1930. That is, it is a fitting designed particularly for use with unthreaded, relatively thin-walled pipe, which is usually made of copper. Such a pipe, for example, is indicated 25 at numeral 3. In accordance with the teaching of the said Gresley patent, the joint effected with this fitting is made by telescoping the pipe 3 into one of the sockets 2, and thereafter introducing liquid solder or like sealing material through a 30 sprue or feed-hole 4 into an internal groove 5 (see Fig. 2), whence it is fed by capillary attraction to the interface region between the pipe and fitting. It will be understood that the receiving portion of the socket 2 and the pipe 3 are so di- 35 mensioned that the clearance therebetween is of suitable size to induce such capillary fiow of theliquid solder.

The present invention provides new means, in addition to the solder film described, whereby the 40 pipe 3 is securely locked into the fitting I.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, unmeral 6 indicates the inner smooth, cylindrical, wall of the socket portion 2. Numeral 5, as has been intimated, indicates an interior annular 45 groove which is formed on the inner wall 6 intermediate its ends. Numeral 4, as has likewise been intimated, indicates a sprue or solder feed-hole.

The sprue 4 is of a special construction in the present invention. Instead of leading from the 50 exterior side wall of the fitting I to the groove 5, this sprue 4 itself comprises a helical or sloping groove in the smooth wall ,6 of the socket portion 2, leading from the end face thereof into the interior annular groove I.

Referring nowto Fig. 4, numeral 10 indicates a length of wire which is usually of circular cross section. The circular cross section is not essential to the present invention, but it has been found to operate advantageously with the curved cross section of the groove 5 indicated in Fig. 3. The length of the wire III is preferably slightly less than the circumferentiallength of the groove 5, for purposeswhich will be made apparent hereinafter. At one end of the wire In there is provided a tapered portion I I. (see Fig. 4). Along the entire length of the wire It, on the side thereof opposite the tapered portion l I, there are provided corrugations or serrations l2. The serrations I! are desirably sufiiciently sharp so that they are able to bite into the metal of the pipe 3-, as will be pointed out hereinafter. The shape of the serrations I2 is indicated in Fig. 5, which is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wire In. It is preferable, both from the standpoint of ease of manufacture, andfrom the standpoint of more readily securinga" good joint, that the serrations I2 extend the entire length of the wire l0. However, under certain circumstances this is not altogether necessary, and a short region of corrugations or serrations need only be provided near the tapered end ll.

Returning to the fitting I and the socket-portion. 2 thereof, it is to be pointed out that the depth of the annular groove 5 is less than the diameter of the wire [0, while the depth of the helical feed groove 4 is great enough to accommodate the entire diameter of the wire "I. At theregion where the helical groove 4 joins the annular groove 5, the depth of the helical groove 4 is slowly reduced as indicated at numeral 1 in Fig. 2, until it finally equals the depth of the annular groove 5. The reasons for this relative dimensioningwill be made apparent hereinafter.

The wire Ill constitutes the locking member of the-present invention. Its application is indiof this relative diiference in hardness, and becated in Figs. 2, 6, 7, 3, and 8, in the order stated. Refen'ing to Fig. 6 it will be seen that the pipe 3 is now shown as inserted into socket 2 of the fitting I. The tapered end H of the wire I is now inserted through the helical feed groove 4 in such manner that it is tangential to the pipe 3 and the serrations l2 engage the side of the pipe 3. The wire" lll may readily be inserted to the extent illustrated in Fig. 6 because it will be remembered that the depth of the helical groove 4 is such that it readily passes the full diameter of the wire Ill. However, when the tapered end ll enters the'portion I where the depth of the helical groove 4 is being reduced to the depth of the annular groove 5, it will wedge into position be-' tween the fitting and the pipe.

If the pipe 3 is now manually grasped, exteriorly of the fitting, and turned in a clockwise manner, it will be seen that the serrations l2 bite into the walls of said pipe, thereby dragging or pulling along the wire Ill. The wire III is desirably made of a harder material than the pipe 3.

For example, if the pipe 3 is copper, the wire III may be brass, steel, iron, or the like. Because cause the diameter of the wire l0 is'greater than the region provided for it by the depth of the annular groove 5, an annular groove l3 (see also Fig. 7), is forced into the pipe '3 as it is turned. When the pipe has made one complete revolution, to the position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 8, the groove 13 will likewise be annular, and extend completely therearound. Because of the thin walls of the pipe 3, the groove I3 is accompanied by a corresponding annular bead on the inner surface of the pipe 3. The wire I0 is now entirely within the fitting, and lying between oppositely facing annular grooves in the fitting and I3 in the pipe. Because of the tight fit'aiforded, the pipe is thus securely locked in the fitting.

When the wire III has thus been entirely drawn into the fitting and the position in Figs. 3 and 8 achieved, liquid solder or similar sealing material may be fed in through the helical groove 4 to seal the joint. From Figs. 3 and 7, it will be seen that the wire l0 does not completely fill the annular groove 5; hence, the liquid solder may be introduced into the fitting through the helical groove 4 and may travelaround the fitting through the annular groove 5, to spread by'capillary attraction into the interface region in the same manner asset forth in the said Gresley et a1. patent. By addition of said sealing material, the joint is made tight or is sealed, in addition to being locked.

A combination locked and sealed joint, such as that just described, is particularly useful, for example, in fire sprinkler installations where it is essential that the installation remain in position even though the temperature becomes sufiiciently high to melt out the solder. With a joint as thus described, even if the solder or sealing material melts and runs out of the joint, a locked joint which is relatively tightly sealed is still maintained, and the pipe does-not come out of the fitting. In many other circumstances, such a type of joint is desirable.

Fig. 10 illustrates a form of locking wire l0 which may be used in alternative manner to that shown in Fig. 4. In the Fig. 10 embodiment the tapered end II is dispensedwith, while the analogous end of the wire In is bent down to form a short hook or ear or projection I5. In using-this form of locking wire, a shallow hole the pipe is positioned in the fitting. The end l5 of the'wire I0 is then hooked into the hole, and the pipe 3 turned as in the previous embodiment. The engagement of the end I5 in the hole causes the wire In to be pulled into the joint and its final position is as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The taper II and the hooked end I5 thus both comprise means on the end of the wire III whereby it is attached to the pipe 3.

With the Fig. 10 embodiment, the serrations I 2 are not as important as they are with the Fig. 4 embodiment, for the engagement between the end l5 and the hole in the pipe is usually sumcient to draw the entire length of the wire Ill into the fitting in making the joint.' However, the serrations I 2 when provided in the Fig. 10 embodiment, have an additive holding effect and are advantageously, though not necessarily, provided.

The locking wires shown in'Figs. -4 and 10 are described and claimed in the copending application of the present applicant Wilson, Serial No. 69,891, filed March 20, 1936.

In F18. 9 is illustrated an altemativeembodimolten solder through the sprue 5. Of course,

if desired, solder may be applied both at the sprue l6 and at the end opening of the helical groove 4.

In all of the embodiments shown, if the locking wire 10 is made sufficiently long, it can be so manipulated that a short length is left protruding from the opening of the helical groove 4 at the end of the fitting. Such a protruding end of wire serves as a signal that the joint is a locked one, in contradistinction to a simple soldered joint.

In all of the embodiments heretofore described, the helical groove 4 has been so positioned as to go with a clockwise rotation of the pipe 3. Fig. 11, by way of example, shows that the helical groove 4 may similarly be provided and adapted for counterclockwise rotation of the pipe 3 in drawing in the locking wire Ill. Fig. 12 illustrates a fitting that has two helical grooves 4 provided, one for clockwise and the other for counterclockwise rotation.

It will be understood that the various alternatives proposed may be used singly in conjunction in one fitting.

In view of the above, it. will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interperted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. A joint comprising a fitting having a socket, a thin-walled metallic entering member telescopingly received in said socket, said socket having a preformed interior encircling groove at least a portion of which is helical, and the remainder of which is annular, a locking member in the annular portion of said groove and engaging the entering member in such manner as to form an oppositely faced groove therein, with a bead on the interior of the entering member, and a film of solidified sealing material occupying the interfacial region between said socket and said entering member.

2. A joint comprising a fitting having a. socket,

a thin-walled metallic entering member telescopingly received in said socket, said socket having a preformed interior annular groove, and at least one preformed helical groove connecting the end of said socket and said annular groove, a locking member introduced through said helical groove and positioned in said annular groove and engaging the entering member in such manner as to form an oppositely faced annular groove therein, with an annular bead on the interior of the entering member, and a film of solidified sealing material occupying the interfacial regionbetween said socket and said entering member. 3. A joint comprising a fitting having a socket,

a thin-walled metallic entering member telescopingly received in said socket, said socket having a preformed interior annular groove, and at least one preformed helical groove connecting the end of said socket of said annular groove, a wire locking member introduced through said helical groove and positioned in said annular groove and engaging the entering member in such manner as to form an oppositely faced annular groove therein, with an annular bead on the interior of the entering member, said helical groove being at least as deep as the diameter of said locking member, and a film of solidified sealing material occupying the interfacial region between said socket and said'entering member.

HAROLD K. RADER.

FRANCIS J. WILSON. 

